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The Leadoff Spot

Seeing this is my first official post on my newly created Cubs MLBlog let me start off by saying “Hey, hey!” I look forward to sharing my thoughts about the team and hearing from you regarding all the news that surrounds our boys on the North Side…The Chicago Cubs!

Coming off an amazing regular season and a rather disappointing postseason I can’t get myself away from the sports pages and any and all sports websites that are covering the Winter Meetings! I refresh the Winter Meeting updates more frequently than my email! Who will we use as a closer? Will we land Fukudome? Can someone explain to me why…if we’re going to replace Derosa at second (which I’m not even so sure is necessary)…why didn’t we start looking into Brian Roberts in the first place? I mean Kaz Matsui? REALLY? As Fukudome bait, sure…but more than that? One good postseason does not make Matsui a good choice otherwise.

I was SO happy to see Ohman traded although I am a little hesitant to buy into Ascanio just yet. I mean, they took Ohman to get rid of him (although I have a feeling he was a requirement of the Cubs that he be included in order to do the trade and that Infante was really the guy the Braves were targeting. Speaking of which…Detroit? Wow. That is going to be one unbelievably good team next year. I believe if Santana ends up in the National League then the ALCS next year between the Red Sox and Detroit may set a record for extra innings played in a series as that will be one close and exciting series.)

It’s interesting to see how much pull Santana has in this offseason. It’s like everything is waiting for one guy’s deal to go down and then everyone will move forward. Piniella says he was told he’d have his new players’ presence under the tree in time for Christmas. As excited as I would be to have all of our needs filled in time for the holidays, I don’t expect much to happen until Santana is either dealt or Minnesota makes it clear he’s staying put for now. Even though we’re not looking to get in the Santana mix…everyday it becomes more apparent that his is the first domino to fall this Winter to figure the rest of league’s rosters for 2008.

Curious to see what happens at 2B…interested to see who will join Soriano and, in my opinion Pie, in the outfield and also curious to see what we can do to the bullpen to strengthen our chances to repeat in the Central next year and capture the 100 year carrot that’s been dangling out there in front of us year after year for a century…some years dangled closer to our faces than others (and of course few of us have been around for all 100.)

Prose and Ivy will be something I’ll dedicate a lot of time to this offseason and then especially when Spring comes! I’ll get as much stuff up as I can as soon as I can…I’m still learning how to fully utilize all of the functions of these MLBlogs but I’m looking forward to it!

Writing for:

MLB.COMVINE LINE MAGAZINE - The official publication of the Chicago CubsBASEBALL DIGESTCONNECTICUT TIGERS - Class A Short Season Minor League Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers
Writing Samples available HERE